The 30-year-old, an NDP operative and activist, failed in his bid to take over for Olivia Chow as Trinity-Spadina’s MP when Vaughan, a two-term councillor, stepped in as the Liberal candidate in June’s by-election. This morning Cressy announced that he’ll be trying, instead, to win Vaughan’s now-vacated seat at city hall, as Trinity-Spadina’s councillor. He joins a crowded field of candidates in Ward 20 (more than two dozen are registered) but his close association with NDP-affiliated political figures like Chow, councillor Mike Layton and former MPP Rosario Marchese makes him a clear front-runner.